THE GOOD APPLE GALA
CELEBRATES THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF OUR NETWORK AND PARTNERS
Each year, Louisiana Appleseed hosts a Good Apple Gala to celebrate the previous year's work performed. During the Good Apple Gala, Appleseed awards select volunteers who have risen above the typical pro bono commitment with a Pro Bono Good Apple Award. We also take a moment to celebrate pillars within our communities whose daily lives align with Louisiana Appleseed's mission to increase Access to Justice, Opportunity, and Education, with a Social Justice Good Apple Award.
Thank you for a successful 2023 Good Apple Gala
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2023 GOOD APPLE GALA HONOREES
Community Honoree
Community Honorees are individuals or organizations whose work embodies the mission of Louisiana Appleseed to solve problems at their root cause by creating Access to Justice, Opportunity, and Education.
The Urban League has made an indelible mark on our state in marshaling resources toward fairness and equity across Louisiana. Their 2022 Policy Priorities to advance voter education and improve workforce and economic environments are the core of our democratic institutions. The Urban League's programming and activities fortifies an incredible foundation for generational wealth in low-income and communities of color across the state.
Pro Bono Honorees
Our Pro Bono Honorees have extended themselves above and beyond the typical pro bono commitment to justice. This year's honorees have greatly expanded our network and made significant changes in a particular project.
Attorneys Mike Casaburi, Sebastian Iagrossi, Brennan Meier, Sabrina Poulos, and Owen Remeika from the Goodwin Procter firm read about Louisiana Appleseed's need to create an estate planning guide through mutual affiliations with the Law Firm Antiracist Alliance (LFAA). Attorneys in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC collaborated to draft the first "module" in a multi-part series of estate planning tools. Appleseed reviewed the final material with a focus group, and was so impressed that their work is now the framework for every training module to come in the Estate Planning Community Guide and train-the-trainer components.
Benjamin
Mahoney
Appleseed was connected with Benjamin "Ben" Mahoney through the Taproot Foundation, which connects prospective volunteers in a wide array of fields with organizations in need. Appleseed sought assistance with a multi-parish media campaign offering free help with heirs' properties and clear title. Relying on his expertise in communications and marketing at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Mr. Mahoney helped attorneys from Appleseed and Southeast Louisiana Legal Services over several working group sessions to turn legalese into a fresh, easy to understand campaign. His knowledge and experience have also provided Appleseed with a lasting increase in capacity to serve.
2023 GOOD APPLE GALA CO-CHAIRS
Louisiana Appleseed selects gala chairs through a network of recommendations. They are responsible for setting the tone for the year's gala event and assist with logistics and fundraising efforts. They meet periodically over year prior to the event.
Kimberly
Silas,
Wilson Elsner
Kimberly Silas practices in the areas of commercial litigation, insurance defense, premises liability, transportation, and insurance coverage and bad faith. Kimberly also handles maritime, environmental and energy law. She represents commercial and cruise line vessel owners, operators and charterers; international and domestic marine, liability and energy underwriters; protection and indemnity clubs; and energy companies ranging from single-site operators to Global 500 corporations.
Bryce Addison,
Deutsch Kerrigan
Bryce M. Addison is a civil litigator who represents corporate and insurance clients in all areas of motion and trial practice. His principal area of practice is complex insurance coverage analysis and litigation and commercial litigation claims. As a civil litigation partner, Bryce has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts as well as before federal, state, and municipal agencies. Bryce is a native and lifelong resident of Louisiana where he graduated from Saint Paul’s School before attending Louisiana State University.
Thank You to Our 2023 Gala Sponsors
Louisiana Appleseed Sponsors are integral to our programs. Making up almost 1/3 of Appleseed's total annual budget, sponsors enjoy a host of benefits including invitations to a private event, gift certificates to restaurants, Appleseed gift bags, and more. To learn more about being the core of Louisiana Appleseed, become a gala sponsor today!
Diamond
Gold
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
Jones Walker
Leger & Shaw
Silver
Adams & Reese LLP
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Jeannine Sullivan
Bronze
Bourgeois Bennett LLC
Fayard Law Firm
Fishman Haygood LLP
Herman Herman & Katz
Juneau David APLC
Louisiana Association for Justice through its sister non-profit entity
Bayou Research Institute
Melchiode Marks King LLC
Patron Host Committee
Valerie Bargas
Linda Perez Clark
Janet Daley
Ben Dupuy
Stanwood Duval
Kathlyn Perez
Emma Schwab
Mr. & Mrs. William Shea
Hope Spencer
Irving Warshauer
Sharonda Williams